1. Look at work from your favorite photographers

Looking at other photographers’ pictures can give you new ideas and help you see things differently. You can study their angles, colors, and styles, then try using one of their techniques in your own photos.

2. Make a simple photography plan or goal list

Setting small goals helps you stay focused instead of waiting for inspiration. You can choose one goal each week and practice it a little every day.

3. Visit new places to shoot

Going somewhere different can help you notice things you normally ignore. You can bring your camera and challenge yourself to take photos of new subjects or details.

4. Join a photo walk or photography challenge

Being part of a group or challenge gives you a theme to follow and keeps you motivated. You can join a local walk or an online challenge to push yourself to try new ideas.

5. Browse photography quotes or blogs

Reading short photography quotes or blog posts can boost your creativity. You can spend a few minutes reading before you take pictures to get into a creative mindset.

1. Sports Photographer – Picture Pros Photography Fontana, CA

 

Do I meet the qualifications? Mostly yes. They want someone who can take sports photos and work weekends. I’m still learning, but I could grow into it.

Skills needed: Good timing, fast shooting, knowing how to capture action, and basic editing.

Why I’d want this job: I like sports and photography, so combining both sounds fun.

Starting pay: Not listed, but described as “competitive.”

Could I support myself? Probably not at first, since the pay isn’t clear and it’s contract work.

Expenses if I lived on my own: Rent, food, phone bill, gas, car insurance, electricity, Wi‑Fi, and camera gear.

2. Automotive Dealership Photographer – Pro Motion Pix Ontario, CA

 

Do I meet the qualifications? Almost. They train you, but you need to move cars and take consistent photos.

Skills needed: Basic photography, responsibility, ability to work alone, and attention to detail.

Why I’d want this job: It’s full‑time, steady, and teaches real‑world photography skills.

Starting pay: $23.50–$26.00 per hour.

Could I support myself? Yes, this pay is enough to cover basic living costs if I budget carefully.

Expenses: Rent, food, car payment, gas, insurance, phone, Wi‑Fi, electricity, and savings.

3. Photography Assistant – Rolocare Photos Upland, CA

 

Do I meet the qualifications? Yes. It’s an internship, so it’s meant for beginners.

Skills needed: Basic camera knowledge, willingness to learn, and teamwork.

Why I’d want this job: It’s a great way to learn from professionals and build a portfolio.

Starting pay: $20 per hour.

Could I support myself? Maybe, but it’s part‑time, so income might be too low.

Expenses: Rent, food, transportation, phone, Wi‑Fi, and basic supplies.

4. Seasonal Photographer – Shiekh Shoes San Bernardino, CA

 

Do I meet the qualifications? Yes. They train you and it’s beginner‑friendly.

Skills needed: Studio lighting basics, product photography, and organization.

Why I’d want this job: It teaches e‑commerce photography, which is useful today.

Starting pay: $16.50 per hour.

Could I support myself? Not really — seasonal and low pay.

Expenses: Rent, food, transportation, phone, Wi‑Fi, and clothing.

5. School Photographer  Rancho Cucamonga, CA

 

Do I meet the qualifications? Yes. They require a driver’s license and basic photography skills.

Skills needed: Working with kids, setting up equipment, and taking portraits.

Why I’d want this job: It’s steady work during the school year and helps build portrait skills.

Starting pay: $17–$20 per hour.

Could I support myself? Maybe, but it depends on hours and travel.

Expenses: Rent, food, gas, car insurance, phone, Wi‑Fi, and camera maintenance.

My Actual Career Goals

Even though these photography jobs are interesting, my real goals for the future are still developing. I want a career where I can use creativity, technology, and problem‑solving. Photography might be part of my future, but I also want to explore other fields so I can find something that fits my skills and gives me stability.

In the TED Talk “How Photography Connects Us,” David Griffin explains how photos help people understand each other. He says that photography is more than just taking pictures — it’s a way to tell stories about real life. Photos can show emotions like joy, fear, or sadness, even when people don’t speak the same language. Griffin also talks about how powerful images can make us care about things happening around the world. This made me realize that a single picture can sometimes teach us more than a long paragraph of text.

After watching the talk, I started thinking about how photography affects the way we see the world. Griffin shows examples of photos that inspire people to help others or pay attention to important problems. I think this means photographers have a big responsibility to tell the truth and show respect for the people they photograph. Overall, the talk made me appreciate photography more. It reminded me that photos are not just for fun — they can connect people, share important stories, and make us feel something real.

Dear Future Digital Photography Students, This class was one of the most interesting classes I took because I got to learn how to use a camera and understand how photos really work. I liked learning about lighting, angles, and how to edit pictures to make them look better. Some projects were fun because they let me be creative and try new ideas. I also enjoyed seeing how everyone in the class had their own style and way of taking photos.

There were also things I didn’t like as much. Some projects took a long time, and sometimes the workload felt a little heavy, especially when I had assignments from other classes too. A few editing tasks were confusing at first, and it took time to understand how to use all the tools. But even when it was hard, I learned that practicing and asking questions really helped. If you stay patient, you’ll get better faster than you think.

My advice for you is to not be afraid to try new things with your photos. Take lots of pictures, even if you think they won’t come out good, because that’s how you learn. Don’t wait until the last minute to do your projects, because editing takes more time than you expect. Also, listen to feedback from your teacher and classmates—it actually helps a lot. Most importantly, have fun with the class and enjoy the chance to be creative. Good luck next year.